The efficacy and function of Chinese medicine

Drinking Chinese medicine to regulate the body is a method that many people trust. Some chronic diseases or sub-health conditions are indeed effectively treated with Chinese medicine, and the side effects are not significant. It is especially popular among middle-aged and elderly people. Some foods or herbs we know have Chinese medicinal ingredients, such as Artemisia capillaris, but what are the effects and functions of Chinese medicinal herbs? This aspect must be something that everyone is not familiar with.

1. Antipyretic. Artemisia capillaris infusion has a strong antipyretic effect, but the antipyretic effect of its decoction is weaker.

2. Promotes bile secretion. It can promote the secretion of bile, and its active ingredients are chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid.

3. Antibacterial. In vitro tests showed that it had an antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus.

4. Antiviral. It has a strong inhibitory effect on influenza virus (PR8 strain).

5. Anti-fungal. Even after being diluted 4 million times, it can still inhibit the development of Trichophyton rubrum. The active ingredient is capillary gland hormone.

6. Reduce lipids. It can lower serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein B and prevent lipid accumulation in blood vessel walls.

Processing: Remove roots, cut into pieces and use raw.

Nature and flavor: bitter, cold.

Meridians: enters the spleen, stomach, liver and gallbladder meridians.

Function: Clears dampness and heat, and relieves jaundice.

Indications: jaundice, short and dark urine, eczema.

Clinical application: It is the main drug for treating jaundice.

1. Treat damp-heat jaundice and Yang jaundice (bright yellow like orange, often seen in acute icteric infectious hepatitis, cholecystitis, etc.) because it can promote the secretion and excretion of bile. In the early stage of jaundice, heat is more serious than dampness. If the patient has fever, difficulty urinating, constipation, slight abdominal distension, and rapid and stringy pulse, Gardenia and rhubarb should be used to enhance the effect of clearing heat and purging fire, and Artemisia Capillaris Decoction should be added. If the dampness is heavier than the heat, there is fullness and stuffiness in the chest and abdomen, heaviness in the head and fatigue in the body, the stool is not constipated, but the symptoms of difficulty urinating are more obvious, and the pulse is weak and slow, then Wuling San should be used, such as Yinchen Wuling San.

2. Treat cold-damp jaundice. It is used for Yin jaundice (dark yellow like smoke, more common in chronic icteric infectious hepatitis, cirrhosis and other diseases), with symptoms of systemic cold and dampness. At this time, it is necessary to use warming and cold-dispelling drugs such as aconite, dried ginger, etc. to warm the cold and dampness, such as Yinchen Sini San.

3. Used as a substitute for Bupleurum to clear away heat. Artemisia capillaris and Bupleurum chinense both have antipyretic effects. According to Chinese medicine experience, both medicines enter the liver and gallbladder and can remove the excess fire in the liver and gallbladder. However, the medicinal properties of Artemisia capillaris are slightly milder than those of Bupleurum chinense. Therefore, for those who usually have yin deficiency and newly have real heat, Bupleurum chinense should be used to clear away heat. However, for those who cannot tolerate the harsh and dry nature of Bupleurum chinense, Artemisia capillaris can be used instead of Bupleurum chinense.

Precautions for use: Deficiency jaundice is yellow with a pale white tint, with normal urination, a tasteless mouth and a weak pulse. It is caused by anemia and parasitic diseases, not dampness and heat. Therefore, it is not suitable to use Artemisia capillaris, but rather use drugs that tonify the middle and replenish qi.

Dosage: 15-30g.

Prescription example:

1. Yinchenhao Decoction (Jinkui Yaolue): 30g of Artemisia capillaris, 9g of Rhubarb, 12g of Gardenia jasminoides, decocted in water and taken orally.

2. Yinchen Wuling Powder (from "Jinkui Yaolue"): 30g of Artemisia capillaris, 15g of Poria cocos, 12g of Polyporus umbellatus, 12g of Atractylodes macrocephala, 9g of Alisma orientalis, 6g of cinnamon twig. Decocted in water and taken orally.

3. Yinchen Sini Decoction (from "Zhang's Medical Encyclopedia"): 18g of Artemisia capillaris, 9g of cooked aconite, 9g of dried ginger, 3g of roasted licorice, decocted in water and taken orally.

Note: The usage habits of Artemisia capillaris vary from place to place, and the original plant species are different. Beijing and Tianjin are accustomed to using the above-mentioned Artemisia capillaris. In addition, according to the Chinese Materia Medica, there are the following similar products and regional products: